When we were kids, it wasn’t easy for our parents to watch us grow up and transition into independent adults. Now watching our parents grow older is never easy too, especially when memory begins to fade. Over the past few years, particularly since the COVID period, I started noticing small changes in my mum as time goes by. At first, it was forgetfulness. Then it began to hit hard with repetition, confusion, and moments that felt unfamiliar. Brought them out to the mall for a walk. What makes it harder is that my dad is her primary caregiver, managing almost everything at home while the rest of us live separately. Like many families, we’re learning as we go, figuring out how to support both of them in ways that are practical, sustainable, and compassionate. Please don't pretend you haven't been frustrated at all during this process. We all know how hard it's been. The more you care, the more it gets into you. So, are you really okay? If you’re in a similar situation, here a...
Gelato First, Thai Feast Later: My Orchard Road Food Stop
My husband and I were in the Orchard area for The Friends Experience at the Fever Exhibition Hall, and instead of eating first, we decided to enjoy the experience before thinking about food. After the exhibition, the warm evening left us a little thirsty, so we looked for something refreshing nearby. That’s when we spotted Gelatissimo, a small kiosk just outside Shaw House. We grabbed a couple of scoops of gelato and enjoyed them at the al-fresco seating while people-watching along the always lively Orchard Road. After that, we took a leisure walk through ION Orchard before making our way to Far East Plaza, where we ended the evening with a comforting Thai dinner at Nana Original Thai Food Restaurant in the basement.
Gelatissimo outside Shaw House
First Stop: Gelatissimo
Our first food stop was at Gelatissimo, where we decided to share two scoops of gelato as a refreshing treat after the exhibition. We picked a mix of Dragonfruit Sorbet and Raspberry Gelato. The dragonfruit sorbet was vegan-friendly and tasted light, fruity, and refreshing, perfect for the warm weather. The raspberry gelato, on the other hand, was creamy, smooth, and pleasantly sweet with a slight tang from the berries. Personally, I’m a little biased because I tend to prefer sorbet over gelato since I enjoy the lighter texture without the creaminess. Still, both flavours were fresh and satisfying, although I personally think that sorbet is a better thirst quencher, while we sat at the outdoor seating and watched the Orchard Road crowd pass by. I'm surprised that it wasn't that crowded on a Friday evening (13 March 2026).
Our Regular Cup size with 2 scoops
The varieties of gelatos, sorbets and yoghurts
After finishing our gelato, we continued strolling along Orchard Road and spent some time walking around ION Orchard which was a first for the husband (he isn't a shopper). It was also a nice way to digest our sweet treat while browsing the shops and enjoying the evening crowd. By then it was already 8pm, time for a proper meal, so we made our way to Far East Plaza. At a corner of level 1 is Nana Original Thai Food Restaurant, a casual spot known for its authentic Thai dishes. With our appetites ready, we settled in for dinner and looked forward to some comforting Thai flavours to end the outing.
14 Scotts Road Far East Plaza 01-21
What's on the menu?
Dinner at Nana Original Thai Food Restaurant
For dinner at Nana Original Thai Food Restaurant, we ordered a small spread to share between the two of us: Phad Thai, a clear Tom Yum soup with chicken, Thai kai lan, Thai fishcake, and mooping (grilled pork skewers). It turned out to be a satisfying mix of noodles, vegetables, soup, and grilled bites.
The mooping was my husband’s top pick of the night. The grilled pork skewers were fresh with a slightly springy texture, and the flavour was well balanced; savoury, lightly sweet, and not overly heavy on the spices. It was simple but really well done, making it easy to see why it’s such a popular Thai street food.
The Phad Thai was comforting and flavourful, with the familiar sweet, tangy, and savoury balance. The clear Tom Yum soup with chicken was lighter compared to the creamy version, but still packed with the signature sour and spicy notes that make Tom Yum so addictive. We also enjoyed the crunchy Thai kai lan for some greens on the table, while the Thai fishcakes added a nice savoury and springy bite to round out the meal.
What's a perfect dining without a plate of rice?
Sweet, tangy, and savoury Phad Thai
A clear and light Tom Yum Soup
To Sum Up
All in all, it turned out to be a simple yet enjoyable food stops during our Orchard outing. Starting with a refreshing gelato break at Gelatissimo and ending the evening with a hearty Thai dinner at Nana Original Thai Food Restaurant made for a nice balance of sweet and savoury. It was also lovely to slow down a little; sitting outdoors to people-watch along Orchard Road before wandering through the malls and eventually settling down for dinner.
Sometimes the best food experiences aren’t overly planned. This little post-exhibition food trail reminded us how easy it is to find satisfying bites around Orchard, whether you’re looking for a quick dessert break or a comforting meal to wrap up the day. Cheers.
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All expenses were personally covered by the writer. The opinions expressed are entirely her own, based on personal experience and preferences, and do not represent the views of any other individual or organization.
